In 2006, a citizens group in Stafford County, Save Our Schools, concerned over public official's closed meetings filed an FOIA against several members of the Stafford School board and members of the Stafford Board of Supervisors. The findings of the FOIA proved embarrassing to certain Stafford elected officials and included "private citizens" who also hold committee appointments in Stafford County. Story here: [http://fredericksbur...]
Now we see that one of Stafford's BOS members doesn't want something similar to happen in the future (shine the light in) and has specifically requested an amendment to FOIA.
Closer to home, Stafford County has requested a bill that would remove names, addresses, phone numbers and other identifying information from e-mails to elected officials.The bill is being sponsored by House Speaker Bill Howell and Sen. John Chichester. Both are Republicans representing Stafford County.
Howell said the bill was requested by a Stafford supervisor, who was surprised to find that "what he considered to be private correspondence" via e-mail was actually a public document under the FOIA.
"It's a logical, specific exemption," Howell said.
What would be the consequences of exempting private citizens information from FOIA'd elected official's correspondence ? Know any "private citizen(s)" who could hold special sway over YOUR elected official(s) ?